Description:
Many of the children we work with in Argentina have been orphaned or abandoned by parents who cannot afford to support them, or need extra support and attention due to mental or physical disabilities. As a volunteer you will provide that added extra element of individual care and attention that every child needs, but which the staff in the organizations we work with rarely get the chance to provide.
You will find there is a role for you whether you are volunteering during a gap year, a summer vacation, a career break, your annual leave or if you are no longer working and want others to benefit from your experience. All we ask is that you have energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to seeing the work through. Our local staff will provide support throughout your project.
Whatever skills and talents you have, volunteer work in Argentina will give you the opportunity to put them to good use. Teach the children to dance, draw or play soccer; you could even arrange to take the children on a day trip. The more time and effort you put in, the more rewarding your placement will be both for the children you are working with and for you yourself.
If you would like to volunteer in Argentina with children, you will be working in one of many orphanages in Cordoba, Argentina's second largest city, and the surrounding area.
We also work with a number of centres for handicapped people and others with special needs. If you have a love of horses, then you could even combine this with a caring role on our Equine Therapy project. When you apply, please let us know where you feel you would best be able to help and our staff will work with you to find a suitable placement.
When volunteering in an orphanage in Argentina you are likely to be asked to help with a wide range of activities, depending on the age-group and needs of those you are working with. You may be required to help the staff with basic care duties at certain times of the day, but there will be other times when the work is less structured and you can help by simply playing with the children. You might lead classes or workshops where you focus on painting, pottery or music with a group of children. The older children will probably need help with their homework at the end of the day.
Highlights:
There are also opportunities to work in a number of centers for handicapped people and others with special-needs. The ages of those you will be working with in these placements can be very varied, and you may find yourself working with young children, teens and adults. If you have any experience working in special education your skills will be highly valued, however there is no experience necessary to participate in this program.
When helping out at centers for those with mental and physical handicaps, you are likely to be asked to help with a wide range of activities. The staff will need help with basic daily activities including meal times; however you will also have some time to spend one on one with individuals at your placement, helping them with basic education or activities of your choice. There are also opportunities to get involved in physical therapy sessions and help with necessary daily exercises. It can make a huge difference for these individuals to have your attention, support and friendship, and you will quickly find that you are an integral part of the staff team.
Due to the inter-personal nature of the work, this placement is an excellent opportunity to practice your Spanish. Aside from interacting with the children, you will also be working with the foster parents and organization's administrators to make sure things keep running smoothly.
For your accommodation, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the projects carried out by Projects Abroad and are keen to experience an intercultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers.
In addition, this project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
Some Care Projects require intermediate Spanish.
Languages:
English
and Spanish
Cost in US$: Please go to our website for prices.
Cost Includes:
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Medical insurance
and Written materials pre-departure
The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
childcare/children,
disability issues,
handicapped,
orphans,
street kids,
teaching,
tutor,
youth
and youth development
Typical Volunteer: Open minded with a desire to travel
Age Range: 16-70
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Home-stays
Participants Travel to Argentina
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time Is 10 days
Post Services Include:
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.
Year Founded: 1992